Olive Nerite Snail: Neritina reclivata

Olive Nerite Snail

The plainest nerite and among the hardiest — a smooth olive-green shell and an appetite for the green spot algae most grazers ignore.

Natural Habitat & Origin

Brackish estuaries of the southeastern United States and Caribbean, ranging into fresh water as adults.

Care Requirements

Keep Olive Nerite Snail at 22-28°C with a pH of 7.0-8.2. Undemanding provided water is hard and alkaline. Calcium supports shell growth; without it the shell thins and pits.

Use the Aquarium Tracker to log these parameters against your own readings — it flags a drift before it becomes a problem.

Diet & Feeding

One of the few grazers that reliably eats green spot algae, the hard green discs most snails leave behind. Supplement once the glass is clear.

Behaviour & Temperament

Peaceful and industrious. Often works at night, so a tank that looks ungrazed by day may be perfectly clean by morning.

Tank Mates

Suits any peaceful community. Keep away from snail-eating loaches and puffers.

Breeding

Cannot complete its lifecycle in fresh water. Eggs are laid but never hatch.

Choosing between nerite varieties

All nerites share the same care requirements, so the choice comes down to shell pattern and size. See the nerite snail comparison guide for the full range side by side.

Common Health Issues

Shell erosion in soft water. Sensitive to copper and to sudden pH changes.